Using Other Catalogs

Our catalog is the definitive place for finding U-M Library materials. It also shows what’s available at the Bentley Historical Library, Clements Library, and U-M Flint’s Thompson Library.

If you’re looking for items from the U-M Law School, Kresge Business Administration School, and U-M Dearborn, you’ll need to search their catalogs separately. 

To find materials outside of U-M

If we don’t have the materials you’re looking for, we can typically borrow it for you from another library using interlibrary loan.

To get an idea of item availability before placing your loan request, you can search:

• WorldCat, a combined catalog of thousands of libraries across the United States and around the world. It includes direct links to request items through interlibrary loan.
  • WorldCat.org, an alternate version for those not affiliated with U-M, will show you when an item you’re looking for is available at a library nearby.
• UBorrow, our lending network of research libraries in the Big Ten Academic Alliance. These materials tend to arrive faster and have longer loan periods.
• Center for Research Libraries Catalog, another large network of research libraries. This is particularly useful for finding rare and uncommon primary source materials.

Check local libraries 

Don’t forget to check your local public library. Many participate in MeLCat, which allows you to borrow materials from libraries around the state. 

Through a reciprocal borrowing program, you can also borrow materials as a guest from Eastern Michigan University and Washtenaw Community College.